In a significant move, US President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing exchange of heated rhetoric with a Russian official regarding issues related to Ukraine and tariffs.
In recent days, a notable exchange has unfolded on social media between former President Trump and Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s security council.
Trump’s recent post on his Truth Social platform has unexpectedly escalated the ongoing dispute into the serious and often underreported realm of nuclear capabilities.
In response to what he described as “highly provocative statements,” Trump announced that he had “ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that.”
“Words hold significant weight and can frequently result in unforeseen outcomes. I trust this will not be one of those cases,” stated the 79-year-old Republican.
In his post, Trump did not clarify whether he was referring to nuclear-powered submarines or nuclear-armed ones. The specifics regarding the deployment locations remain undisclosed, as the US military classifies them.
In a recent interview with Newsmax that was broadcast on Friday night, Trump remarked that the submarines were “closer to Russia.”
Preparation is key for us at all times. “I have dispatched two nuclear submarines to the region,” he stated.
“I aim to ensure that his statements remain just that—statements without any further implications.”
In a significant development, former President Trump made his remarks shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow had commenced mass production of the hypersonic nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile. Putin indicated that these missiles could potentially be deployed to Belarus, a key Russian ally situated next to Ukraine, by the end of the year.
The recent nuclear sabre-rattling occurs amid a deadline established by Trump, who has called for Russia to take action towards resolving the Ukraine conflict by the end of next week, or risk facing unspecified new sanctions.
In the face of mounting pressure from Washington, Russia’s aggressive actions against its pro-Western neighbour persist unabated.
An analysis conducted by AFP on Friday revealed that Russian forces executed an unprecedented number of drone strikes against Ukraine in July.
Since June, Russian attacks have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Ukrainian civilians. Early Thursday, a coordinated missile and drone assault on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals, according to reports from rescuers.
On Friday, President Putin reiterated his stance against calls for a ceasefire, asserting his desire for peace while maintaining that his conditions for concluding the nearly three-and-a-half-year invasion remain “unchanged.”
Among the demands is Ukraine’s relinquishment of territory and a cessation of its aspirations to join NATO.
During a joint appearance with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin announced that specialists from Belarus and Russia have identified a location for the future deployment of Oreshnik missiles.
Efforts are currently being made to prepare these positions. “We are expected to resolve this issue by the end of the year,” he stated.
– Insults and nuclear rhetoric have become increasingly prevalent in recent discourse –
The United States and Russia hold dominion over the majority of the globe’s nuclear arsenal, with Washington maintaining a continuous patrol of nuclear-armed submarines as a key component of its nuclear triad, which includes land, sea, and air-launched weaponry.
In a recent interview with Newsmax, Trump stated that Medvedev’s mention of “nuclear” led him to decide to reposition US nuclear submarines.
“The moment the term ‘nuclear’ is brought up, my interest is immediately piqued.” “We must exercise caution, as this represents the ultimate threat,” Trump stated during the interview.
On Thursday, Medvedev took to his Telegram account to criticise Trump, making a veiled reference to the “fabled ‘Dead Hand'”—a term associated with a clandestine automated system established during the Cold War to manage the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
This statement followed Trump’s criticism of what he referred to as the “dead economies” of Russia and India.
Medvedev expressed strong disapproval of Trump’s warning regarding potential new sanctions aimed at Russia in response to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In a recent post on X, he accused Trump of “playing the ultimatum game,” asserting that Trump “should remember” the significant power that Russia holds.
Trump characterised Medvedev as “the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President.”
At midnight on Wednesday in Washington, Trump took to social media to advise Medvedev to “watch his words.” “He is venturing into perilous territory!”
Medvedev has emerged as a prominent advocate for Russia’s military actions, often expressing hostility towards Western relations.
Between 2008 and 2012, he held the presidency, effectively serving as a placeholder for Putin, who managed to bypass constitutional term limits and maintain de facto control over the government.
The former reformer has transformed over the years into a prominent online provocateur, frequently promoting extreme interpretations of the official Kremlin’s nationalist narrative.
However, his impact within the Russian political landscape continues to be constrained.
On Friday, residents of Kyiv observed a day of mourning for the 31 individuals who lost their lives the previous day, including five children. The majority of the victims were inside a nine-storey apartment block that was severely damaged by a missile strike.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that only Russian President Vladimir Putin has the power to bring an end to the ongoing conflict, reiterating his request for a direct meeting between the two leaders.
The United States has put forth the proposal. Ukraine has expressed its support for it. “What is needed is Russia’s readiness,” he stated on X.
